Hi - I am very excited to have just booked a trip to Spain for next winter (February-March), but I need some itinerary advice and have always had great luck here (thank you!).

I have been to Spain once before in 2014 and just loved it. That time, I went with my teenage daughters and some friends and our itinerary went like this:It was a marvellous trip. I will be going with my husband this time and he has never been, so we will repeat a few things for his benefit. We are suckers for a view and love hiking, exploring cities and towns, visiting historic sites and museums, and eating out.

This time, our itinerary so far isI am looking for advice on how to spend the 5 days between Torrevieja and Malaga. When we went to the Alhambra last time, it was raining and I felt we rushed it with a day trip from Estepona, so I would like to return to Granada and spend more time seeing the Alhambra and Albayzin - and maybe stay 2 nights because most of the first day will be spent driving down from Torrevieja. After Granada, we would drive to Cordoba for a night and then Seville for our last two nights. Or should we spend just one night in Seville and head down to Cadiz for that last night? Is that too ambitious? Am I missing some other fabulous place? (I'm sure I am, but with only 5 nights, hard decisions must be made...).

I am also looking for advice about where to stay on the nights that we don't have timeshare. We prefer local charm type accommodation in the 100 euro range, no more than 150 euros a night for something special. We are wondering if the parador at the Alhambra would be worth the splurge of 250 euros?

Thank you so much (in advance!).
Liz

I think 2 nights is a perfect amount of time for Granada.

I am happy that you will spend at least one night in Cordoba. The Mezquita is amazing but there is more to Cordoba than just the Mezquita. And Cordoba is so charming and magical at night when the daytrippers have left and the city is illuminated.

Please do not shortchange Sevilla. I have not been to Cadiz but I would spend at least the 2 nights in Seville. In fact, since you have already been to Madrid, I would take a night from Madrid and add it to Seville. 3 nights in Seville really isn't enough (we spent 4 nights there) but it is better than 2 nights. Seville is a beautiful city with gorgeous architecture, parks, plazas, and fountains. Seville boasts many important historical and cultural sites. The Alcazar is gorgeous and is up there with the Alhambra, IMO. There is the cathedral, Casa di Pilatos, Triana, markets, and so much more.

Do you have guidebooks? I recommend not only Rick Steves but Lonely Planet and the Michelin Green Guide.

Thanks so much KarenWoo, this is helpful. Maybe we will do 2 nights in Granada and 3 in Seville in between timeshare stays, and then visit Cordoba for a night and Toledo for a day on the way to Madrid. I have older guides - Lonely Planet "Discover Spain" and Fodor's - but will be looking for a newer guide to update information so will look into the Steves guide.